World leaders welcome Iran nuclear talks conclusion

World leaders have welcomed a “historic” conclusion reached following days of intensive nuclear talks between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries in Vienna.

“I warmly welcome the historic agreement in Vienna today and congratulate the P5+1 and Iran for reaching this agreement,” the UN chief, Ban Ki-moon, said in a statement on Tuesday.

“This is testament to the value of dialogue,” Ban added.

He expressed the UN’s readiness to fully cooperate with the negotiating parties in the process of “implementing this historic and important agreement.”

The UN chief also said the nuclear conclusion could help improve peace in the Middle East.

“I hope — and indeed believe — that this agreement will lead to greater mutual understanding and cooperation on the many serious security challenges in the Middle East,” Ban said.

“As such, it could serve as a vital contribution to peace and stability both in the region and beyond,” he added

IAEA verification of Iran’s nuclear activities

Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Yukiya Amano on Tuesday expressed confidence that the agency would be able to verify Iran’s activities under the Vienna nuclear conclusion.

“I am confident in our ability to do this important work. The IAEA stands ready to undertake the necessary monitoring and verification activities when requested,” the UN nuclear agency’s chief said in a statement.

Russia hails Iran-P5+1 conclusion

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday commended the conclusion of talks between Iran and the six world powers on Tehran’s nuclear program, saying the nuclear negotiating parties made a “firm choice for stability and cooperation.”

“Despite attempts to argue in favor of scenarios of force, the participants of the talks made a firm choice for stability and cooperation,” Putin said in a statement published on the Kremlin’s website.

He added that after the sides’ negotiations succeeded in reaching a conclusion, “the world has breathed a huge sigh of relief.”

The Russian president said his country would “do everything in its power” to ensure that the conclusion would work.

“We expect that all of the interested parties, primarily the 5+1 countries, will fully adhere to the decisions that have been reached,” Putin said.

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters in Vienna that Moscow will be “actively participating in the practical steps for the realizations of the agreement.”

The Russian diplomat emphasized that the Vienna conclusion “without a doubt will play an important role in ensuring non-proliferation in general” and “make the situation in the Middle East healthier.”

“A Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action consisting of the main document and five technical and totally specific annexes has been coordinated, and a draft resolution of the Security Council which all negotiating parties will submit for consideration by the UN Security Council as co-authors has been coordinated too,” he added.

He said the landmark conclusion would lead to further expansion of Tehran-Moscow business ties, including in the nuclear field.

“We have great plans to develop Iran’s nuclear energy,” Lavrov said.

Iran-P5+1 talks conclusion very important: France

French President Francois Hollande hailed the historic conclusion on Iran’s nuclear program as “very important.”

“It’s a very important deal that was signed overnight, the world is making headway,” Hollande said in his traditional annual televised interview on France’s national day.

Nuclear conclusion, step-change in Iran’s ties: Britain

British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond hailed the “historic agreement” between Iran and the six global powers, expressing hope it would be “a step-change” in Tehran’s regional and international relations.

“We hope, and expect, that this agreement will herald a step-change in Iran’s relations with its neighbors and with the international community,” Hammond said in a statement.

After 18 days of marathon talks in the Austrian capital of Vienna, Iran and the P5+1 group of world powers – the United States, Britain, France, China, Russia and Germany — reached a conclusion on Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) , which will put limits on Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for the removal of sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

The conclusion will, according to Iranian officials, be presented to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), which will adopt a resolution in seven to 10 days making the JCPOA an official document.

Based on the conclusion, which has been reached with due regard for Iran’s red lines and is considered a nuclear achievement for the country, the world powers recognize Iran’s civilian nuclear program, including the country’s right to the complete nuclear cycle.